So... Alex Pereira vs Ankalaev 2 is a possibility for IFW

[Alpha_T83]

Dana is extremely desperate for UFC 317 if this is a rumor now.

If this rumor is real, it makes me think that Topuria has pulled out of UFC 317 since he's not getting his undisputed title shot. This event might get cancelled in that case.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Either that or accusing Ank waiting to only fight in Abu Dhabi. The past hate vs him was pretty ridiculous.

Honestly, Ank has done nothing but impress me this year.

He stepped up and fought during Ramadan. Now he's offering to fight at IFW apparently. I was one of the people hating on him, but if he keeps this up he'll convert me into a fan.

 

[Hotora86]

I"t's okay, I was the one who hacked Pereira. Alex Pereira, see you soon "

thats gold

 

[Alpha_T83]

Ok I have a crazy prediction here. Assuming this fight offer is true, I think Pereira will turn it down. I just have a feeling 7 weeks is too short for him to get in shape, plus he's possibly having a contract dispute with the UFC.

IF Pereira doesn't agree, I feel like we get Ankalaev vs Jiri at IFW. Jiri is a crazy man that isn't a massive LHW, so he should be able to make the weight in time. And he's always training, always ready to jump in and fight.

That's my wild prediction: Ankalaev vs Jiri @ UFC 317.

 

[Luffy]

Honestly, Ank has done nothing but impress me this year.

He stepped up and fought during Ramadan. Now he's offering to fight at IFW apparently. I was one of the people hating on him, but if he keeps this up he'll convert me into a fan.

Yeah but what about Alex? He fought 4 times for the title in 12 months, twice on short notice... Vs Khalil he had a broken rib, and vs Ankalaev he had an injured wrist... So it'd be convenient too for Ankalaev to fight Alex as soon as possible. Why not give Alex some time to recover? Like, the fight happened 2 months ago... So Alex who had been overdoing, saving events, fighting on short notice vs dangerous guys while injured, and still put up a very close fight vs Ankalaev, one which was a razor thin victory... Why the rematch like 3 months later?

Iirc Alex has been medically cleared out to be out of training for two months. He'd have basically one and a half month to prepare. Alex had accepted the initial proposal, which was in August. 29 June, roughly 3 and a half months later, felt short for him.

So yeah I think Alex has to fight for the title next, but it doesn't need to be now, it needs to be when he feels he is physically ready, otherwise he will have the same problems as in the first fight. He has to be 100% like vs Jamahal Hill or like vs Jiri Prochazka. It'd be fine having Ankalaev vs Jiri for IFW and Alex fighting the winner, Pereira doesn't need and won't have another fight that is not for the LHW title, unless he goes to HW. August though, it's not bad... It'd be 5 months after their first match and Alex, being cleared out in May, could have a 3 months camp to prepare. That would be ideal for him to get the win.

Why they don't have DDP fighting? Or Islam? Or Tom Aspinall? They are all fake tough guys who get to keep their hype by not losing since they don't fight as often and sit on their ass. That way it's easy to keep their hype, they are all younger than Alex but don't fight nearly as often. Chimaev fights once a year now... DDP said he wouldn't fight at IFW despite his fight vs Sean having happened a month earlier than Alex's... Aspinall had a one minute fight almost 1 year ago and for whatever reason won't fight either.... Easy to keep their status of hype that way, whoever talks beautifully and in cute tough way in the internet but don't fight gets to keep their fake hype.

Alex would like to fight Tom Aspinall, actually. He has called for that fight for a while. Tom doesn't want it. And tbh, you may all disagree... But I'm going to leave it that way: Alex Pereira would shock everyone here and put on a show vs Tom à la Alex vs Jiri Prochazka 2.... Tom won't accept the fight though...

 

[Alpha_T83]

Yeah but what about Alex? He fought 4 times for the title in 12 months, twice on short notice... Vs Khalil he had a broken rib, and vs Ankalaev he had an injured wrist... So it'd be convenient too for Ankalaev to fight Alex as soon as possible. Why not give Alex some time to recover? Like, the fight happened 2 months ago... So Alex who had been overdoing, saving events, fighting on short notice vs dangerous guys while injured, and still put up a very close fight vs Ankalaev, one which was a razor thin victory... Why the rematch like 3 months later?

Iirc Alex has been medically cleared out to be out of training for two months. He'd have basically one and a half month to prepare. Alex had accepted the initial proposal, which was in August. 29 June, roughly 3 and a half months later, felt short for him.

So yeah I think Alex has to fight for the title next, but it doesn't need to be now, it needs to be when he feels he is physically ready, otherwise he will have the same problems as in the first fight. He has to be 100% like vs Jamahal Hill or like vs Jiri Prochazka. It'd be fine having Ankalaev vs Jiri for IFW and Alex fighting the winner, Pereira doesn't need and won't have another fight that is not for the LHW title, unless he goes to HW. August though, it's not bad... It'd be 5 months after their first match and Alex, being cleared out in May, could have a 3 months camp to prepare. That would be ideal for him to get the win.

Why they don't have DDP fighting? Or Islam? Or Tom Aspinall? They are all fake tough guys who get to keep their hype by not losing since they don't fight as often and sit on their ass. That way it's easy to keep their hype, they are all younger than Alex but don't fight nearly as often. Chimaev fights once a year now... DDP said he wouldn't fight at IFW despite his fight vs Sean having happened a month earlier than Alex's... Aspinall had a one minute fight almost 1 year ago and for whatever reason won't fight either.... Easy to keep their status of hype that way, whoever talks beautifully and in cute tough way in the internet but don't fight gets to keep their fake hype.

Alex would like to fight Tom Aspinall, actually. He has called for that fight for a while. Tom doesn't want it. And tbh, you may all disagree... But I'm going to leave it that way: Alex Pereira would shock everyone here and put on a show vs Tom à la Alex vs Jiri Prochazka 2.... Tom won't accept the fight though...

Oh, I completely agree. Alex is a goddamn beast. I'm a huge fan of his and I hope the UFC do right by him. He saved the UFC's ass in 2024.

But if I'm being realistic, as other's here have said, the UFC is very much "what have you done for me lately". Whatever the disagreement between Alex Pereira and the UFC is, it's almost certainly money. And I just don't see the UFC giving Alex a new long-term contract worth even more money at this point, despite the fact that he deserves it.

But yes, Alex should be fighting Ankalaev next, assuming he doesn't refuse the fight due to contract disputes.

 

[PeterGriffin]

The UFC would be ignorant as fuck to expect Alex to fight hurt a second (or third) time in a row just to bail them out, but it is something they would certainly do. In any "he-said/he-said" situation with Dana and someone not-named-Dana... well, I'm just going to assume the not-named-Dana party has told less lies.

Would Dana get pissed at Alex for not bailing them out in another marquee event going down the shitter? It's laughable anyone would even think otherwise. I guess all those Conor and Jon privlleges aren't worth any company loyalty when they are in a bind to find headliners.

I'm perfectly fine with Alex resting up and Ank fighting someone else if he's ready to go, let him bang, bro. Someone will take a title fight.

Honestly, I think Alex would rather not be bound by all the conditions that comes with being a champ in the UFC at this stage, and if he's not healthy rematching Ank, I don't even want to see it anyways.

 

[Tweak896]

Should be Jones/Aspinall or Islam/Topuria. Maybe Khamzat/DDP. If they can't do those fights, then they should just do Topuria/Olivera and Aspinall/Gane for vacant belts. There's not too many big fights other than the ones fans want. UFC keeps booking curveball matches. Also IFW should've been announced awhile ago.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Oops wrong thread.

Anyway Ank is a beast I hope he fights Alex or Jiri @ UFC 317.

 

[Alpha_T83]

Let Poatan prepare fully so there can be no more excuses from the Poatards

Doesn't mean we can't do Ankalaev vs Jiri at UFC 317. Ariel says the UFC have offered Ankalaev to fight Jiri at UFC 317 if Pereira isn't available.

 

[svmr_db]

Ok I have a crazy prediction here. Assuming this fight offer is true, I think Pereira will turn it down. I just have a feeling 7 weeks is too short for him to get in shape, plus he's possibly having a contract dispute with the UFC.

IF Pereira doesn't agree, I feel like we get Ankalaev vs Jiri at IFW. Jiri is a crazy man that isn't a massive LHW, so he should be able to make the weight in time. And he's always training, always ready to jump in and fight.

That's my wild prediction: Ankalaev vs Jiri @ UFC 317.

I think if Ankalaev defends his title @ UFC 317 that's probably a co-main, any fight with him (especially a Pereira rematch) isn't big enough to headline IFW. The Pereira rematch can headline any other card but it would be pretty lackluster to have that headline the supposed "biggest card of the year".

 

[Alpha_T83]

I think if Ankalaev defends his title @ UFC 317 that's probably a co-main, any fight with him (especially a Pereira rematch) isn't big enough to headline IFW. It can headline any other card but it would be pretty lackluster to have that headline the supposed "biggest card of the year".

Main event: Ank vs Jiri
Co-main: Topuria vs Oliveira for the interim title.

More than a big enough card.

 

[svmr_db]

Main event: Ank vs Jiri
Co-main: Topuria vs Oliveira for the interim title.

More than a big enough card.

I'd flip them around and have the lightweight fight as the main event, yes interim titles don't usually headline over undisputed title fights but there's far more intrigue & casual appeal in Topuria vs Oliveira than Ankalaev vs Jiri.

 

[Alpha_T83]

I'd flip them around and have the lightweight fight as the main event, yes interim titles don't usually headline over undisputed title fights but there's far more intrigue & casual appeal in Topuria vs Oliveira than Ankalaev vs Jiri.

I don't disagree. Either way, these two fights as the two co-mains would make for a great card.

There are a lot of hardcore fans that want to see Jiri vs Ankalaev. This is a fight that should have happened already but has eluded us.

 

[HHJ]

I say let Ank fight someone else if Alex isn't able to go. Just give Alex the winner. Not a big deal.

No way.

If Big Ank is defending his title than Poatan should have to fight someone else too, that isnt fair to Big Ank